In her prime, torch singer Billie Holiday topped the music charts and sold millions of records.

Beneath her confident, glamorous persona, however, Holiday was also fighting a host of demons.

“She suffered not only from physical abuse but also drug and alcohol addiction,” said Belton-born singer Loretta Holloway.

Holloway, known as “South Carolina’s First Lady of Song,” will perform her tribute to Holiday at a Compass of Carolina fundraiser, 7 p.m., Friday at the Warehouse Theatre.

“Her concert is perfectly timed for Domestic Violence Awareness Month,” said Beth Padgett, executive director of Compass of Carolina. “Her tribute to Billie Holiday honors one of the most influential singers of the 20th century and also someone who personally knew the pain of domestic abuse.”

Compass of Carolina provides counseling in Greenville County, and many of its programs are aimed at preventing family violence.

Holloway will be joined by a jazz trio for her tribute to Holiday, a legendary vocal artist who achieved international fame despite devastating personal challenges that contributed to her early death at age 44 in 1959.

“She became a worldwide star and remains an icon 57 years after her death,” Holloway said.

Few other singers could put such emotion and meaning into a song, Holloway said.

“She didn’t have to jump around on stage or go out into the audience,” Holloway said. “She captivated you by her beauty and the way she interpreted a lyric. Her vocal range was actually limited, but she made you feel her songs. She made you feel her pain and her love. She wore her heart on her sleeve.”

In her tribute, Holloway sings Holiday’s big hits such “God Bless the Child,” “My Man” and “I’m a Fool to Love You,” among others.

“I do some of her familiar songs and some material that people may not know,” Holloway said.

Holloway peppers her song set with stories about Holiday’s tumultuous life.

“In her interviews, she had a wonderful, soft demeanor,” Holloway said. “But she didn’t take any nonsense. She would fight you in a minute. She grew up on the streets of Baltimore. She has a mouth on her.”

Another familiar song Holloway sings is “Strange Fruit,” the heartbreaking blues number about lynching in the South.

“It was the first anti-lynching protest song,” Holloway said. “It brought national and international attention to lynching in the South.”

Recalling the first time she ever sang the song, Holloway said, “I became so emotional that afterward I just cried.

“It’s still relevant,” Holloway added. “It’s still going on: black men being targeted. People are killed because of the color of their skin.”

Holloway spent 21 years in Las Vegas before returning to live in her hometown of Belton. While in Las Vegas, she opened for such show biz luminaries as Jay Leno, Whoopi Goldberg, Don Rickles, Rich Little, Gary Shandling and Jerry Lewis. She also made two national appearances on Lewis’ MDA telethon.

Holloway’s recordings include “Loretta Holloway...Quietly,” “Ordinary People” and “Kisses In The Dark.”

Holloway first sang songs in tribute to Holiday more than three decades ago.

Proceeds from Friday’s concert will support the critically needed programs of Compass of Carolina. Many clients are low-income and could not pay for counseling services without the generous donations that make it possible for Compass to provide free or low-cost services.

“We are grateful for all of our sponsors and especially Wells Fargo, the presenting sponsor,” Padgett said.

“At Wells Fargo, we understand that we can and should play an important part in helping our communities to thrive,” said Justin Hawkins, Upstate area president for Wells Fargo Bank and a board member for Compass of Carolina. “Our support of Compass of Carolina is one way we can do that, by increasing resources to support the well-being of families in our communities.”

Hawkins added, “When I joined the board of Compass of Carolina, I learned so much about what we all can do to help men, women and children find the tools and gain the strength they need to learn healthy relationship skills and heal their families. Well Fargo’s support of this event will help many others learn what I did, and empower even more people to seek and get help.

“Loretta Holloway’s talent is breathtaking, and every year she adds something new and powerful to her performance. This special evening is an opportunity for guests to really have a great time and, at the same time, make a true impact in the lives of their neighbors who need support,” Hawkins said.

The Loretta Holloway concert begins at 8 p.m. on Friday at the Warehouse Theatre, and a reception and silent auction begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at WarehouseTheatre.com/tickets.

For the latest in local arts news and reviews, follow Paul Hyde on Facebook and Twitter: @PaulHyde7.

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What: “Loretta Holloway: In Tribute to Billie Holiday,” to benefit Compass of Carolina